Speech attendees empowered after Obama's remarks

KANSAS CITY - Attendees said they felt empowered and optimistic after President Obama spoke to a packed Uptown Theater Wednesday.

The president's words calling for a more livable wage resonated with some of those in attendance.

Lauren Brown-Hulme and several dozen others joined the president on stage during his speech. Brown-Hulme said a woman from the administration approached her and invited her to sit behind the president.

"It was incredible," she said. "There was such diversity in the crowd. His speech was so optimistic. A lot of people were getting raved up about the things he was talking about."

Brown-Hulme, 18, is starting college next year. She said she enjoyed the president's comments about decreasing costs of higher education and reducing student loan debt.

"It's really beneficial to my age group, especially someone going off to public university. I'm going to have student loans," Brown-Hulme said.

LinDora Johnson described the speech as insightful and exciting.

"It seemed like everybody was on one accord," Johnson said. "Anytime you have that, it's a wonderful experience."

She said she has two children who would depend on government aid to attain higher education.

"They can't live if they're strapped down to a student loan," Johnson said.

Gerald Chatman said he appreciates the president's work to rally attention for the middle class.